From a blocked sink to an overflowing toilet, drainage problems can range from inconvenient to disruptive. They can cause standing water, unpleasant odours, and attract pests and vermin. Drainage problems are easily caused, but they are also easily avoided. Simply being aware of the way you treat your drains, and dispose of household waste, can make a big difference.
Follow these drainage tips to reduce the risk of everything from a minor blockage to a large flood.
Look After Your Pipes
With winter approaching, it’s time to consider your pipes. Make sure your outdoor pipes are insulated, otherwise they could freeze. Having your water supply cut off for a few days is bad enough, but if the ice causes your pipes to burst you’ll have an even bigger problem to deal with.
If your pipes are frozen, it is important that you thaw them slowly. Never pour boiling water on frozen pipes – the sudden change in temperature can cause them to crack.
Check Your Drains
Mud, leaves, twigs, rubbish and other debris can all clog up your drains. With wet weather on the way, now is a good time to check your drains for any potential blockages. You will often find that the offending materials can be scraped off the drain cover and everything will be fine.
While this is a quick solution, it is best to call in the drainage services experts to have a look. They will be able to identify any hidden problems. Having these taken care of now can save you a lot of money in the future.
Be Careful What You Flush
It is a common household habit to flush pretty much anything down the toilet. Nappies, cotton buds, cleaning wipes and sanitary products can all cause blocked drains – if not in your toilet, then further down the line. Once a blockage is created, things will gradually work their way back towards your plumbing. By the time you realise there’s something wrong with the drains, it will already be too late.
If you want to avoid these drainage problems, only flush ordinary toilet paper. Bag other waste products and dispose of them in a bin.
Keep Stuff Out of Your Sink
The sink is a cook’s friend. It seems like a sensible choice to pour all kinds of food waste down the sink, but this can cause a lot of drainage problems. The biggest offender is fat: it may be melted when it goes into the drain, but the cooler temperatures will quickly cause it to harden. It sticks to the side of pipes and collects other food waste, creating a large mass that eventually leads to blocked drains.
Try using baking soda followed by hot water (don’t use boiling water), or a cup of white vinegar to help break up fatty deposits and keep your drains free flowing.
Still Got a Problem? Call in Expert Drainage Services
These drainage tips will all help to avoid problems, but blocked drains do still happen. If you’ve got a problem with your drains, don’t hang around. Contact us today.